Audio device for luring wildlife

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a portable device used by hunters and wildlife enthusiasts to lure a variety of animals into close proximity. The device selectively plays back pre-recorded wildlife vocalizations stored as analog signals within an integrated circuit. The device utilizes an external speaker that can be remotely located from the device to provide an opportunity for the operator of the device to be secluded from view of wildlife. The device incorporates the selective use of one of two audio amplifier circuits, thereby enhancing the range of volume control. The device incorporates a selective and replaceable plug-in module used for determining and varying the specific species of animal vocalizations to be played back. The device operates from either an integral rechargeable battery or an auxiliary, direct current power source to further enhance its portability and includes the use of a battery charger and auxiliary power cord.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable STATEMENTREGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an animal luring device for attractingwildlife for purposes such as hunting, photography or viewing. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a new and improved luringdevice whereby pre-recorded vocalizations of wildlife, stored as analogsignals within an integrated circuit, can be played back to effectivelylure wildlife to within closer proximity of the operator of the luringdevice.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many recording and playback devices have been developed for use byhunters, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts for luring wildlife towithin a desirable range. Many wildlife luring devices in use aremechanical in nature in that they are operated by either passing avolume of air across a reed or diaphragm or by mechanical movementbetween two frictional surfaces. Each of these methods of operating aluring device requires the user of the device to employ physicalmovement during operation of the device which is apt to prematurelyalert wildlife, and both methods require the use of one or both hands,limiting the ability to discharge a weapon or photograph the wildlife.Also, these types of mechanical luring devices are intended to imitateas closely as possible the sounds of wildlife, but lack the realism ofrecorded wildlife vocalizations. Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,649 toRobertson (1993) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,115 to Metiva (1990) areexamples of these types of luring devices, depending upon air beingblown through a mechanism to create wildlife sounds. U.S. Pat. No.6,159,068 to Trotter (2000) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,493 to Long (2000)are game call devices that are actuated by friction created by movementbetween two parts.

Furthermore, there are numerous wildlife luring devices that have beendeveloped using mechanisms such as tape recorders for recording andplayback of wildlife sounds, however these devices consume considerablymore electric power than solid state electronic devices. U.S. Pat. No.5,239,587 to Muckelrath (1993) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,353 to Isoguchi(1992) relate to audio or audio/video recording devices that utilizemechanical-type recorders.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Considering the disadvantages of current wildlife luring devices asnoted in the prior art, it is reasonable to expect that the presentinvention would provide energy efficient playback of realistic wildlifesounds while requiring little extraneous movement on the part of theinvention user and would therefore afford the user an excellentopportunity to lure wildlife to within the desired proximity.

The present invention further enhances its effectiveness as a wildlifeluring device in that it employs a speaker that can be located anadequate distance from the user so that wildlife attention will befocused on a location other than that of the user.

Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a means of storing audiosignals within an integrated circuit in analog format rather thandigital format so that no fidelity of the recording is lost duringdigital to analog conversion.

The present invention further incorporates the use of an effectivevolume control arrangement that includes a potentiometer used inconjunction with a selector switch. The switch is used to select one oftwo audio amplifier circuits, of substantially different output powercapabilities, within the electrical circuitry to provide for a widerange of audio volume.

The present invention further utilizes a sealed, gel cell typerechargeable battery in conjunction with a recharging device so thatease of use is maintained as compared to the use of disposablebatteries, and battery life is enhanced as compared to the use ofnickel-cadmium batteries.

Furthermore, the present invention also incorporates the optional use ofan auxiliary power cord so that an auxiliary source of direct current,such as an automotive power receptacle, may be used rather than theintegral rechargeable battery of the invention.

The present invention further utilizes a plurality of plug-in modulescontaining unique recordings of various wildlife species such that aspecific plug-in module may used to lure a particular specie or speciesof wildlife.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention including thehousing with the hinged cover raised to illustrate the top. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 1 is the external speaker and a plug-in module.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention including thehousing, a plug-in module, and hinged cover. The proximal edge of thetop is shown pivoted upward to illustrate the plug-in module port.

FIG. 3 is a perspective cut-away view of the present invention with theproximal and left lateral sides of the housing partially removed and thecircuit board removed to illustrate the rechargeable battery, batterycompartment ridge, and circuit board guide.

FIG. 4 is a perspective cut-away view of the present invention with theproximal and left lateral sides of the housing partially removed toillustrate the circuit board and module connector attached to thecircuit board. The battery charger and auxiliary power cord are alsoillustrated.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic illustrating the components andconnections of the circuit board.

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic illustrating the connections to theintegrated circuit and connector used in a plug-in module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be generally described with references to FIG.1 through FIG. 6. A housing 10 is provided to enclose the rechargeablebattery 23 and circuit board 25 of the present invention. The housing 10incorporates a top 11, which has attached to it several components ofthe present invention, and a cover 12. The cover 12 is attached to thedistal wall of the housing 10 with a hinge and is secured to theproximal wall of the housing 10 with a latching mechanism 18. The top 11is secured to the housing 10 by means of screws passing through the top11 and into designated receptacles within the housing 10. The housing10, top 11, and hinged cover 12 are each of molded, one-piececonstruction. The interior or lower surface of the top 11 includes amolded plug-in module port 19 to facilitate alignment of the plug-inmodule connector 28 b with its respective, mated electrical connector 28a on the circuit board 25.

The housing 10 includes an elevated ridge 24, molded into the interioror upper surface of the bottom of the housing 10 and constructedperpendicular to the plane of the bottom of the housing 10 to provide aphysical division to delineate a compartment for the rechargeablebattery 23 contained within the housing 10. The ridge 24 is constructedto approximate and incorporate the length and width of the rechargeablebattery 23 such that movement of the rechargeable battery 23 in twogeometric planes, specifically side-to-side and front-to-back, isrestricted and minimized. Hold-down brackets 26, secured with screws tothe interior surface of the housing 10 and designed to fit appropriatelyclose to the top exterior surface of the rechargeable battery 23 and toextend from their secured positions partially across the top exteriorsurface of the battery 23 secure the position of the battery 23 withinthe housing 10 and restrict and minimize its movement in a thirdgeometric plane, specifically top-to-bottom. The housing 10 contains acircuit board guide 27 which functions to restrict the movement of thecircuit board 25 within the housing 10 and to properly position thecircuit board 25 within the housing 10 such that it maintains properalignment with the plug-in module port 19. The circuit board guide 27 isconstructed as a bifurcated molding on the interior surface of the twolateral walls of the housing 10 and the interior surface of the bottomof the housing 10 resulting in two juxtaposed and parallel protrusionsoriented in two parallel geometric planes such that the circuit board 25can be positioned and secured between the protrusions. The parallelprotrusions are spaced apart slightly more than the thickness of thecircuit board 25 and function to maintain proper positioning of thecircuit board 25. The top 11 of the housing 10 secures the circuit board25 within the circuit board guide 27.

The electrical terminals of the rechargeable battery 23 are connected tothe circuit board 25 and electrical circuit by means of electricalcables and an associated connector, J5. The rechargeable battery 23 maybe disconnected from the circuit board 25 by means of a cable connector,J5. The speaker connector jack 15, the battery charger connector jack16, and the auxiliary power cord connector jack 17 are each connected tothe circuit board 25 and electrical circuit by means of electricalcables.

The external speaker 20 functions to receive electrical signals from theelectrical circuitry of the present invention and convert the signalsinto audible sounds of pre-recorded wildlife as determined by aparticular plug-in module 28 being used at a particular time. Theexternal speaker 20 is connected to the electrical circuitry of thepresent invention by means of a plug 20 a, J1-A, on the terminal end ofthe speaker cord inserted into a mating connector jack 15, J1-B, locatedon the top 11 of the housing 10. The speaker 20 may be disconnected fromits respective jack 15 when not in use.

The battery charger 21, when powered from a nominal 120 voltsalternating current source, provides current to recharge therechargeable battery 23. The battery charger 21 is connected to theelectrical circuitry of the present invention by means of a plug 21 a onthe outlet end of the battery charger cord inserted into a matingconnector jack 16, J3, located on the top 11 of the housing 10. Thebattery charger 21 may be disconnected from its respective jack 16 whennot in use.

The auxiliary power cord 22 may be connected to the electrical circuitryof the invention by a plug 22 b on the outlet end of the auxiliary powercord 22 inserted into a mating jack 17, J2, located on the top 11 of thehousing 10. Use of the auxiliary power cord 22 connected to an auxiliary12 volt direct current power source enables the electrical circuitry ofthe present invention to be powered from an auxiliary source of powerrather than the rechargeable battery 23. The inlet end of the auxiliarypower cord 22 contains an automotive-type plug 22 a suitable forinserting into a 12 VDC power outlet common in many vehicles. Theauxiliary power cord 22 may be disconnected from its respective jack 17when not in use.

Each jack 15,16, and 17 is unique in its design with respect to theother two jacks of the present invention, and each jack is specificallydesigned to accept its respective mating plug 20 a, 21 a, and 22 b.

A plug-in module 28, selected from a plurality of available plug-inmodules, must be inserted into the plug-in module port 19 and connectedto the electrical circuitry of the present invention to enable apre-selected recording of a particular wildlife specie or species to beplayed back using the present invention. The plug-in module port 19, anintegral part of the interior surface of the top 11, facilitatesaccurate alignment of the plug-in module connector 28 b with itsrespective mating connector 28 a on the circuit board 25. The proximalend of the plug-in module port 19 fits into a mated recess within theproximal wall of the housing 10. The distal end of the plug-in moduleport 19 terminates in proper alignment with and in close proximity tothe plug-in module connector 28 a. When a plug-in module 28 is properlyand fully inserted into the plug-in module port 19, the plug-in moduleconnector 28 b electrically connects a plug-in module 28 to theconnector 28 a on the circuit board 25 and, consequently, to theelectrical circuit of the present invention.

A combination switch-potentiometer, On-Off/Volume Control 13, S1, isused to selectively switch power to the circuit board 25 of the presentinvention and also to provide control of the audio volume of theplayed-back wildlife recordings. When S1 is positioned to the “OFF”position, power from either the rechargeable battery 23 or an auxiliarypower source is interrupted to the electrical circuit of the presentinvention. When S1 is positioned to the “ON” position, power from eitherthe rechargeable battery 23 or an auxiliary power source is presented tothe electrical circuit of the present invention. Once S1 is positionedto the “ON” position, the included potentiometer influences the level ofthe audio volume output of the present invention.

A three-pole double-throw (3PDT), low-high volume level switch 14, S2,is provided to enable selection and use of one or both of two audioamplifiers, U1 (LM386) and U2 (TDA1516CQ), located on the circuit board25. The selection of one or both of the audio amplifiers, U1 or U2,determines the coarse volume level (low or high level) of audio volumeof the played-back wildlife recordings. Selection of the low volumelevel electrically connects a single audio amplifier, U1, into theelectrical circuitry so as to provide a relatively lower audio level tothe external speaker 20 than had the high volume level been selected.Selection of the high volume level electrically connects the output ofthe low level audio amplifier,U1, to the input of a second audioamplifier, U2, capable of relatively higher output than the low levelaudio amplifier, U1. Selection of the high volume level provides arelatively higher audio level to the external speaker 20 than had thelow volume level been selected. The selective use of the low-high volumelevel switch 14 provides the operator of the present invention with amore selective range of audio volume control.

The circuit board 25 located with the housing 10 contains the electricalcomponents and circuitry necessary to receive and electrically amplifythe pre-recorded wildlife vocalizations stored within a plug-in module28. The electrically amplified wildlife vocalizations are then presentedto the external speaker 20 for audible transmission. The circuit board25 receives nominal 12 volts direct current (12 VDC) from either therechargeable battery 23 or an auxiliary power source as previouslydescribed. A replaceable electrical fuse, F1, located on the circuitboard 25, provides over-current protection to the electrical componentsof the circuit board 25. The 12 VDC supplies power to both of the audioamplifiers, U1 and U2, and also provides power to a voltage regulator,U3 (LM340T/T0), the output of which supplies 5 volts direct current (5VDC) power to the integrated circuit, U4 (ISD2560P), located within aplug-in module 28. The inputs of the low level audio amplifier, U1, arecapacitively coupled to the outputs of the integrated circuit, U4, suchthat the pre-recorded wildlife vocalizations are presented to U1. Theoutput of the low level audio amplifier, U1, is capacitively coupled toboth the input of the high level audio amplifier, U2, and one of theelectrical contacts of the 3PDT low-high volume level switch 14, S2.When S2 is placed in the low volume position, the following occur:

-   -   (a) 12 VDC negative (−) is connected to the speaker connector        jack 15, J1-B negative (−) terminal. This provides electrical        reference for U1 output circuit to speaker 20.    -   (b) Terminal 5 of the low level audio amplifier, U1, is        capacitively coupled to the speaker connector jack 15, J1-B        positive (+) terminal. This couples U1 output to the speaker 20.    -   (c) Terminals OUT 1 and OUT2 from the high level audio        amplifier, U2, are disconnected from the speaker connector jack        15, J1-B negative (−) and positive (+) terminals, respectively.        This disconnects U2 outputs from the speaker 20.    -   (d) 12 VDC (+) is disconnected from the terminals Vp and M/SS of        the high level audio amplifier, U2. This disconnects 12 VDC        power from U2.

When S2 is placed in the high volume position, the following occur:

-   -   (a) Terminal OUT 1 of the high level audio amplifier, U2, is        capacitively coupled to the speaker connector jack 15 J1-B        negative (−) terminal. This provides electrical reference for U2        output circuit to speaker 20.    -   (b) Terminal OUT 2 of the high level audio amplifier, U2, is        capacitively coupled to the speaker connector jack 15, J1-B        positive (+) terminal. This couples U2 output to the speaker 20.    -   (c) 12 VDC (+) is connected to the terminals Vp and M/SS of the        high level audio amplifier, U2. This connects 12 VDC power to        U2.    -   (d) 12 VDC negative (−) is disconnected from the speaker        connector jack 15, J1-B negative (−) terminal. This disconnects        U1 output electrical reference from the speaker 20.    -   (e) Terminal 5 of the low level audio amplifier, U1, is        disconnected from the speaker connector jack 15, J1-B positive        (+) terminal. This disconnects U1 output from the speaker 20.

A plug-in module 28, comprised of a connector 28 b and integratedcircuit, U4, is partially encapsulated within an composite molding suchthat only the connector 28 b is externally exposed. The plug-in module28 is electrically connected to the circuit board 25 via matingconnectors 28 a and 28 b, J4-A and J4-B. The plug-in module 28 is shapedsuch that it fits appropriately within the plug-in module port 19 andaligns the plug-in module connector 28 b with the mating circuit boardconnector 28 a. When the plug-in module 28 is fully inserted into theplug-in module port 19, the plug-in module 28 is electrically connectedto the circuit board 25. When connected to the circuit board 25, theintegrated circuit, U4, located within the plug-in module 28 receives 5volts direct current as power from the output of the voltage regulator,U3, located on the circuit board 25. When U4 is powered, analogrepresentations of wildlife vocalizations stored within it arecontinuously presented, or played back, to the output terminals of U4which are capacitively coupled to the input of the low level audioamplifier, U1, as previously described. U4 is configured such that whenthe playback reaches the end of the pre-recorded wildlife vocalizations,the playback loops back to the beginning of the stored vocalizations andrepeats the playback. This cycle of playback continues until power isremoved from the plug-in module 28.

The preceding description of preferred embodiments and drawings of thepresent invention are neither intended to limit the scope of theinvention nor restrict modifications to the present invention asembodied within the respective claims of the invention.

1. An animal luring device for selective playback of recorded animalvocalizations comprising: a base enclosure containing a rechargeablebattery and electrical circuit; electrical conductors attached to saidbase enclosure to enable electrical coupling and decoupling of speaker,battery charging device, and auxiliary direct current power source;electrical circuit within said base enclosure capable of accepting aselective plug-in module containing stored analog signals representingpre-recorded wildlife vocalizations and, further, to electricallycondition and couple pre-recorded wildlife vocalizations to the speaker;volume control potentiometer, with integral switch, attached to saidbase enclosure to enable control of audio volume of played backvocalizations and to provide on-off control of power to said electricalcircuit; selector switch attached to said base enclosure to enableelectrical selection of one of two audio amplification ranges respectiveto played back wildlife vocalizations; speaker with integral conductorscapable of being electrically coupled and decoupled to said electricalcircuit within said base enclosure; rechargeable battery within saidbase enclosure to provide a source of direct current power to saidelectrical circuit and plug-in module.
 2. The device according to claim1, further including a battery charging device capable of beingelectrically coupled and decoupled to said electrical circuit to providemeans of electrically recharging said rechargeable battery within saidbase enclosure.
 3. The device according to claim 2, further including anauxiliary power cord capable of being electrically coupled and decoupledto said electrical circuit to provide an alternate source of directcurrent power to said electrical circuit.
 4. The device according toclaim 3, further including a selectable and removable plug-in modulecontaining memory means capable of storing analog signals representingpre-recorded wildlife vocalizations and capable of being electricallycoupled and decoupled to said electrical circuit for the purpose ofpresenting said analog signals to said electrical circuit.